Mining machine



C. W. WYMAN MINING MACHINE March 5, 1929.

Original Filed July l, 1925 Patented Mar. 5, s 1929.

UNITED STATES .PATENT OFFICE.

CIIARLES W. WYMAN, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR T SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMIIANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MINING MACHINE.

Application led .Tuly 1, 1925, Serial No. 40,830.` Renewed November 17, 1227.

This invention relates generally to mining machines of the electric motor propelled type and more particularly to the electric motors of such machines.

The injurious effect of oil upon the insulated windings of electric motors 1s well known. In mining machines of ordinary construction the possibilities of damage from ithis cause are very considerable andin certain very recently .developed machines 1n which portions of the gearing run 1n oil baths and which'are adapted when 1t 1s desired to cut at different heights to be inverted, with resultant certainty of spreadling of any oil which might secure .access to the motor casing, these possibilities are greatly enhanced.

A primary object ofthe inventlon 1s to prevent injury to the windings of a mining machine or other motor by interrupting the flow of and discharging any oil tending to creep into the motor housing proper, im-

proved means being provided for this purpose. A more :specific object is to provide'. r means for discharging'liquidmoving along the power shaft of a motor 1rrespect1ve ofA which of two relatively inverted positions the motor runs in; -Other objects and advantages of the invention will subsequently appear. X.

In itsy generah` aspect the invention comprises means forming a chamber in one or both ends of a motor housing between the bearings for the power shaft and the inner wall of the housing, means for removing liquid from the surface of the shaft within the chamber, and means for venting the chamber.y Preferably nthe means for removing the liquid takes the form of centrifugal means and the venting means is formed in duplicate at opposite sides of the chamber so that when the motor is operated in either of two relatively inverted positions, .the liquid may be discharged. Preferably also the venting means takes the form of a branched passage so that when the motor is employed in a mining machine, venting will take place even though the machine be tilted due to the slant or to casual humpsin the mine bottom. In theo event that the motor is arranged in juxtaposition to andl drives mechanism rotating in an oil bath or otherwise copiously lubricated, auxiliary meansv maybe provided to limit the iow of lubricant to the bearings of said motor and if desired these may be constructed to permit access of a governed quantity of oil to the bearings.

In the accompanying drawings, in `which for purposes of illustration I have disclosed one form which the invention may assume in practice,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a mining machine constructed in accordance with the illustrative form of the invention* and having parts broken away to show details of construction.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section on the line 2 2 of Fig. l, and

Fig. 3 is a similar section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. y

Referring to the drawings 1 is a mining machine frame providing surfaces 2 and 3 on which the machine may slide depending upon the ldesired location of the cut. The machine comprises a central motor section 4, a cutting mechanism section 5 and a feed mechanism section 6. Each of the last two sections contains transmission mechanism and both the feed transmission mechanism 7 and the cutter driving mechanismB run in oil baths. The motor section 4 comprises a chamber 9 in which are field coils 10 and a rotatable armature 11. The ends of the chamber are closed by end closure members 12 and 13, which also support the armature bearings. The armature is mounted on a shaft 14, whose opposite ends respectively drive the cutting and the feeding mechanisms.

driving end of the motor, it will be ob- 'served that at the juncture of the casings 4A and 5 the top and bottom plates 15 and 16, which are herein formed as integral parts of the motor section 4, are cut j vide channels 17, 18 which extend for the full width of the machine and open through the sides thereof. The end closure member 12 has formed therein a chamber 2l which is circular in outline and substantially conscentric with the shaft 14. At the outside of the chamber is a wall 22 which carries a ball bearing 23 supporting the armature shaft, and at the inner side of the chamber is a wall 24 which is traversed by an opening 25 concentric with the shaft 14. The end of this shaft isv tapered and carries a driving pinion 26. This pinion has an extension in the form of a cylindrical sleeve Referring first to the cutting mechanism t away to pro- 27 surrounded by the inner race of the ball bearing 23Y and by a sleeve 28 pressed thereon and providing an oil throwing ring 29 bej by a small hole to permit a governed quan- -of the machine.

tity to pass, but ordinarily a\ sufficient amount passes due to the porosity of the ring. Sealing grooves 31 in the inner and outer walls of the chamber aid in preventing flow .of lubricant into the motor casing. From the chamber diametrically opposite passages 32 lead to the grooves 17 and 18.

Referring now to the other end of the motor, it will be noted that the head 13 is con'- structed quite similarly to the head 12, containing a chamber 35 ventedlthrough passages 36 to transverse discharge passages 37 and 38 respectively at thetop and bottom The feed drive is accomplished by a pinion 39 on the extremity of the shaft 14, and a flexible packing 4l seated in a groove 42 in the sleeve 43 of pinion 39 seals the bearing 44 in which the shaft 14 is journaled. The sealing grooves 45 and oil throwing ring 46 are substantially the same as the corresponding structures at the other end of the shaft save in that the sealing grooves next the bearing 44 are next the shaft 14 proper.

From the foregoing description the mode of operation of the structure described Will be readily understood. Leakage of lubricant through the bearings will be greatly reduced by the flexible packings. Wl'at lubricant docs pass by will be thrown off by the throwing rings into the chambers 21 and 35 and will flow downward either into the grooves or channels 18 or 38, or 17 and 37, depending on whether the machine 'is sliding on the surface 2 or surface 3. Owing to the outlets at opposite sides ofthe frame the lubricant will be el ectively discharged even when working on steep pitches or passing over rough and curving bottoms.v The felt or other flexible rings materially reduce loss of oil as well as cut down danger ofl access of the lubricant to the motor windings. These rings are of particular assistancev when the motor is not running, since the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a motor, a motor housing providing a rotor compartment, a horizontal rotoi therein, said housing comprising a head portion, said head portion having a chamber therein, and said rotor having a horizontal supporting shaft extending through said chamber and journaled in the vertical wall of said head portion lying to the outside of said chamber and having its journal `means wholly outside the side of said outer wall which is nearersaid chamber, means in said chamber for effecting removal of liquid moving longitudinally through said chamber towards said rotor along said shaft, and means for venting saidchamber of such liquid to preclude access of the latter to said compartment including a liquid vdischarge passage extending from said chamber to the exterior f saidI motor housing. Y

2. In Aa motor, a motor housing, a horizontal rotor therein, said liousingv comprising a head portion,isaid head portion having a chamber therein, and said rotor having a horizontal supporting shaft extending through said chamber and journaled in the vertical wall of said head the outside of said cham er and having its journal means wholly outside the side of said outer wall which is nearer said chamber, means in said chamber for effecting removal of liquid moving longitudinally through said chamber towards said rotor 'along said shaft, and means for venting said chamber providing branching vent passages each leading tothe exterior of the motor housing.

ortion lying to siesA 3. In a motor, a motor housing providing a rotor compartment, a horizontal rotor therein, said housing comprising a head portion, said head portion having a chamber therein, and said rotor having a horizontal supporting shaft extending through said chamber and journaled in the vertical wall ofsaid head portion lying vto the outside of said chamber and having its journal means wholly outside the side of said outer wall which is nearer said chamber, centrifugal means in said chamber for effectingremoval of liquid moving longitudinally through said chamber towards said rotor along said shaft,

and means for venting said chainher of such liquid topreclude access of the lat-ter to said compartment including ,a liquid discharge passage extending from said chamber to the exterior of said motor housing.l

. 4. In a motor, a inot'or housing, a hori-A zpntal rotor therein, said housing comprising a head portion, said head portion having a chamber therein, and said rotor havingA a 4,horizontal supporting shaft extending through saidcham'ber and journaledin the f vertical wall of said. head portion lying to the outside of said chamber and having its journal means Wholly outside the side'of said outer wall which is nearer said chamber, centrifugal means in said chamber for effecting removal of liquid moving longitudinally through said chamber towards said rotoi' along said shaft, and means for venting saidy chamber providing branching vent passages-each leading to the exterior of the 1 motor housing.

5. ln a motor, a motor housing providing a rotor compartment, a horizontal rotor therein, said housing comprising a head portion, said head portion'having a chamber therein, and said rotor havinga horizontal supporting shaft extending through said chamber and journaled in the vertical wall of said head portion lying to the outside of said chamber and having its journal means wholly outside the side of said outer wall which is nearer said chamber, means at the outside oil said wall for limiting liquid flow into said chamber, means in said chamber for effecting removal of liquid moving longitudinally through said chamber towards said rotor along said shaft, and means for venting said chamber of such liquid to preclude access ot the latter to said compartment including a liquid discharge passage extending from said chamber to the exterior oitsaid motor housing.

lin a motor normally adapted to be run with its base horizontal, a motor' housing, a horizontal rotor therein, said housing comprising a head portion, said head portion having a chamber therein, and said rotor having a horizontal [supporting shaft eX- tending through said chamber and journaled in the vertical wall oit said head portion lying to the outside of said chamber and having its journal means wholly outside the side ofsaid outer wall which is nearer said chamber, porous tlexible packing means for limiting liquid flow into said chamber, means in said chamber for effecting removalof liquid moving longitudinally through said chamber towards said rotor along said shaft, and means for venting said chamber.

7. ln a mining apparatus, a motor having a casing providing a rotor chamber,a rotor in said chamber, bearings for said rotor outside said chamber, and liquid venting means outside said chamber and nearer the latter than said bearings including means for discharging liquid at either side of'said casing.

8. lin a mining apparatus, a motor casing section, a casing section securedl to said motor casing section and containing a lubricant bath, a motor in said motor casing section having a horizontal shaft extending into said second casing section, means for precluding passage of lubricant from said second casing section into the first including a exible packing surrounding said shaft, means for throwing lubricant passing said packing from said shaft, and means for discharging such lubricanty from the casing.`

9. In a mining apparatus, a motor casing,

section, a gearing enclosing casing sectionl sec-ured to said motor casing section and containing aylubricantS bath, a motor in said motor casing section havingla shaft extending into said second casing section, means i'or piecluding passage oflubricant from said second casing section'into the first in cluding a porous flexible acking surround'-` ing said shaft, means foli throwing lubricant passing said packing from said shaft, and means for discharging such lubricant from the casing comprising vent means at the top and bottom of the casing.

l0. ln a mining apparatus, a motor casing section, a gearing enclosing casing section secured to said motor casing section and containing a lubricant bath, a motor in said motor casing section having a shaft extend- A ing into said second casing section, means for precluding passage of lubricant .trom said second casing section into the rst including a porous flexible packing surrounding said shaft, means for throwing lubricantV passing said packing from said shaft, and' from said second casing section into the rstl including a exible packing surrounding said shaft, 'means for throwing lubricantl passing said packing from said shaft, and

means or discharging suoliV lubricant from p the casing comprising vent means at each side of the top and bottom oi? the casing.

l2. `ln a mining machine, an electric motor having windings and a power shaft arranged longitudinally of the machine, ymeans for preventing access of lubricant to the -windings comprising means providimg'lu` bricant discharge chambers at' the ends of said motor, and means forming* discharge passages opening through'either sideof the `machine adjacent its bottom.

13. In a mining machine having a casing adapted to 'be supported on opposed bounding surfaces thereof, an .electric motor in said casing and having windings and a power shaft arranged longitudinally of the machine, means for preventing access of lubricant to the windings comprising means providing lubricant dischar e chambers at the endsof said motor7 and means providing discharge passages opening through either side of the casing adjacent the bottom in either position of the casing.

im'Y

7 14. In-`a mining machine, va machine casn ing having a pluralityof supporting surfaces on which the machine is adapted to be cess lubricant from said bearing to'V prevent access of the lubricant to the motor windings, said casing having a plurality of lubricant discharge passages formed therein, one of said passages adapted to discharge excess lubricant from said bearing when the ma- 'chine is supported on one surface I, and another of said passages adapted to discharge excess lubricant` from said bearing while the machine is supported on the second of its supporting surfaces: n

15. In a mining machine, a machine cas ing ahaving a plurality ofsupporting surfaces on qwhich the machine isv adapted to be selectively supported during its operation, an electric motor in Vsaid easing having windings and a power shaft, a bearing in 'which said shaft rotates, means for lubricating said bearing, nand means including a chamber formed in saidca-sing for receiving excess lubricant discharged from said bearing to prevent access of the lubricant to the motor windings, said casing being provided with a plurality of passages communicating with said chamber, one of said passages yadapted to discharge excess lubricant from said chamber when said machine is supported on one of its surfaces and another of said passages adapted to discharge excess lubricant from said chamber while the machine is supported on a second of its sup'-4 porting surfaces, A l l 16. In a mining machine, a machine casing having a plurality of bounding surfaces on which the machine is adapted to be selectively supported during its operation, an electric motor in said casing having wind ings and a power shaft, lubricating means .for said shaft, andC means for preventing access of lubricant to the motor windings including lubricant discharge passages opening through the casing adjacent the surfaces on which the machine is adapted to be supported, one ofsaid'passages adapted to discharge excess lubricant from said shaft when the machine is supported on one surface and another of said passages adapted to discharge -excess lubricant from said shaft machine casing having opposed bounding surfaces on which the machine isA adapted to be selectively supported during Yits operation, an electric motor in said casing having windings and a power shaft, lubricatingmeans for said shaft, and means for preventing access of lubricant to the motor windings including means for collecting the excess lubricant from said shaft, and discharge passages communicating with said collecting means and opening through the casing adjacent the bottom of the machine ineither position of said casing, one of said passages adapted to `discharge excess lubricant from said shaft when lthe machine is supported on one surface and another of said passages adapted to discharge excess lubricant from said shaft while t-lie machine is supported on the other of `said supporting surfaces.

18. In a mining machine, a casing, an electric 1motor ther-ein having windings and a horizontal power shaft, lubricating means for said shaift, and means for preventing access of lubricant to the motor windings including a lubricant discharge passage opening through a vertical side wall of the machine and through which the'excess lubricant discharged from said shaft is adapted to gravitate.

19. In a mining machine, a casing,havi-ng a fiat horizontal bottom and vertical sides, an electric motor ,having windings and a horizontal power shaft, lubricating means Vfor said shaft, means for preventing access of lubricant to the windings comprising means providing lubricant discharge chambers at the ends of said motor for collecting excess lubricant from said shaft, and meansv forming lubricant discharge passages communicating with said chambers and opening through a vertical side of the machine adjacent its bottom. 1

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature.

CHARLES w. WYMAN. 

